Sankranthi

Sankranthi, is a festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season for the farmers of Indian Sub-Continent. An interesting fact I came across while browsing the Internet was that this is a harvest festival celebrated not only over India but other South East Asian countries as well. This day also marks the beginning of the gradual increase of the duration of the day.

The beautiful part about this country is that every festival is celebrated in its own way in different states. Pongal as its famously know down south, villages in Karnataka celebrate by making their cattle jump over burning haystacks in a sport called Kichchu Haisodu.

I happened to witness this in one such village on SH17. People never looked so happy and playful. The entire village is there to witness the event...

Of course you go there with your camera you get specially privileges and grants to stand anywhere, however at your own risk. People are high, screaming in joy, booing people whose cattle go around the fire than over it, kids try to chase the bull to get their garlands, balloons or for the matter any thing from the bull.

At the end of the event, I noticed people collecting ash in huge quantities. Of course its sacred however I couldn't stop myself asking someone there what they use it for, and back came the reply - for everything!

The ash would give them a better harvest once sprayed in the field, and would keep the evil spirits away from their house and make their children brave!!!

I am sure a lot of organizations have major concerns about the event, however its a ritual that has been followed for hundreds of years now and holds a lot of importance to the farmer! It's difficult to replace such rituals specially when they happen at remote locations where people worship Rain (Jal), Fire (Agni), Air (Vaayu), Earth (Prithvi) and Sky (Aakash)

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